Thune Visits Cheyenne River Indian Reservation

John Thune visited Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation last night and hosted a feed for 450 people and played in a basketball game dubbed the "Legends v. All-Stars." At 43, Thune was placed on the "Legend" team with Terry Dupris, known as the "Michael Jordan of Eagle Butte." The "All-Stars" were very talented local players. Here (below) is a picture of many of the players. To the right of Thune is the tribal chairman, Harold Frazier, who was also a champion saddle bronc rider in years past. Thune is wearing a star quilt, which the Sioux are famous for and which was given to him after the game.

Here (below) is Thune signing a basketball after the game.

Here (below) is Thune during the national anthem standing next to Terry Dupris, the local standout who was drafted by the Pistons.

Here (below) is Keeler Condon, who was on the famous 1959 Eagle Butte state championship team which defeated DeSmet (more on Thune's visit to DeSmet here) by ten points. The famous 1959 team also included Chet Condon (Keeler's cousin), Freddie Knife, Eugene Red Bird, Bob Mandan, and Melvin Bagola. He also went to the state tournament in 1958 and 1961. Keeler was the point guard, an earlier incarnation of Terry Dupris. Keeler was also elected to the tribal council last year.

Here (below) is a picture of Thune with the referee.

This (below) is Chug and Karen Garreau. Chug grew up in neighboring Dupree and Karen grew up in Eagle Butte and they now have a ministry in Dupree.

Here is Thune (below) talking with a local rancher after the game.

This (below) is a picture of the (yes, the) building at the Eagle Butte airport and, more importantly, of the gray rain clouds in the distance. As Thune arrived, the rain started falling. It's been a dry spring so the rain was most welcome.

In case you need to get your bearings, here is a map indicating where the Cheyenne River reservation is located.

Between the rain, the game, the food, the wonderful and hilarious DJ and the hundreds of people who turned out, it was a very festive evening. Here's some more information on the reservation if you're interested.